England legend heralds Ferguson Giggs and Ronaldo
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:07GMT

England football legend Sir Tom Finney has heaped praise on Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for maintaining old fashioned, but fine football traditions throughout his career, as well as commending modern wingers Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo.nbsp; Finney told goal.com: ldquo;Hersquo;s (Sir Alex Ferguson) done a great job at Manchester United. Hersquo;s had over twenty years there and won the Premier League many times.rdquo; ldquo;Alex Fergusonrsquo;s football is still rooted in values which a lot of people look on as old-fashioned, but...

Finney: Capello and Terry are good for England
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:06GMT

Sir Tom Finney believes Fabio Capello and Chelsearsquo;s John Terry have slowly changed the perception of Englandrsquo;s international side. The England legend, and one of the gamersquo;s all time great players, suggests Capello has made a great start as England manager.nbsp; Finney told goal.com: ldquo;Im positive about Capello, he has the desire and has real ambitionrdquo; ldquo;Itrsquo;s early days for him, people have to be very patient, itrsquo;s not a five-minute job and I think when people come in at international level, itrsquo;s a...

City star delighted to have a fight on his hands
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:05GMT

Manchester City star Stephen Ireland is delighted with the clubrsquo;s summer spending and despite the added pressure new faces bring, the young Republic of Ireland international is already relishing the challenge.nbsp;nbsp; Ireland told the Sun: ldquo;What has happened this summer is really exciting and the squad is going to be a lot stronger.rdquo; ldquo;Players are going to have to be flexible and that is great.rdquo; nbsp; ldquo;There will be a big fight to get into that first team of the season and that is my...

Laporta saddened by Etoo
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:04GMT

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted to being saddened by the situation which sees star striker Samuel Etoo pondering a move away from the Camp Nou.Manchester City are desperate to try and tempt the Cameroon international away from the European and Spanish champions, who have offered Etoo an improved contract. Laporta told the Cadena Cope radio station: "His representative and Samuel have said that he wants to continue and the club have offered him a contract renewal with the same conditions that...

Gordon makes good progress
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:03GMT

Sunderlands Scotland international goalkeeper Craig Gordon is hopeful of being ready for the start of the new season, as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.The 26-year-old suffered both knee and ankle problems last season and lost his starting spot at the Stadium of Light to Marton Fulop as a result. Gordon told the clubs official website: "Its not going too badly. Im slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things. "Im at the rehab phase now, just getting the knee...

Agent: Vidic to stay at United
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:01GMT

The agent of Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has moved to try and put an end to speculation linking his client with a summer exit from Old Trafford.The 27-year-old Serbia international has been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Internazionale, but Silvano Martina is confident that Vidic will remain with United. He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "Even though Vidic has not spoken for the last three months, there have been false interviews published in the press. "I read that he wants...

De la Red concerns growing
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:19:00GMT

Real Madrid midfielder Ruben De la Red could be facing the end of his career as doctors struggle to diagnose a problem which caused him to collapse during a game last season.The 24-year-old lost consciousness during a Copa del Rey clash at Real Union last October and has not played since, undergoing a number of medical tests which have so far failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. A statement from the Spanish giants read: "Real Madrid announces that Ruben de la Red...

Inter extension for Materazzi
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:18:59GMT

Defender Marco Materazzi has been handed a three-year contract extension by Internazionale.Materazzi, 35, had 12 months remaining on his existing deal but is now under contract at the San Siro until 2012. "FC Internazionale and Marco Materazzi announce the agreement for an extension which will bind the player to the club until 30 June 2012," confirmed a club statement. The Italy international has made almost 250 appearances during eight seasons with Inter...

Hughton in charge for now
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:18:57GMT

Chris Hughton has been handed the task of overseeing the start of pre-season training at Newcastle United.Hughton takes up the reins for the time being, with the Magpies having yet to confirm whether Alan Shearer will continue in the St James Park hotseat next season. He told The Journal: "I dont know how long I will be in charge for. It could be three days, a week, two weeks, three weeks, Im not sure. "My job will be to make sure that the...

Blues secure Turnbull signing
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:18:55GMT

Chelsea have completed the signing of goalkeeper Ross Turnbull on a four-year contract from relegated Middlesbrough.The 24-year-old former England Under-21 international was out of contract with the Teessiders and moves to the capital on a free transfer as a consequence. Turnbull had spent the whole of his professional career to date with Boro, being loaned out to Darlington, Barnsley, Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra and Cardiff City during his time at the Riverside. He will join first-choice Petr Cech and veteran Portuguese Hilario at...